ACT Policing Traffic Operations has welcomed a 2015 Volvo S60 T6 to its fleet.
THE FIRST VOLVO to be used in an operational police role has joined the ACT Police for evaluation of its suitability as a police vehicle. With the demise in local manufacturing, ACT Police says it will trial a number of “operational fleet alternatives over the next 12-18 months and comparing results with other Australasian police jurisdictions through the ANZPAA Police Vehicle Focus Group”.
The Officer in Charge of Traffic Operations, Sergeant Rod Anderson, said that these vehicles are required to perform to a high level in dynamic, high stress environments so it was informative to place a vehicle directly in the fleet for an extended period.
“We are particularly interested in our officers’ opinions on the all-wheel drive capability of the S60 and what advantages it offers over our current rear-wheel drive fleet,” Anderson said.
The all-wheel drive 3.0-litre, six-cylinder turbocharged S60 which has received some engine software tweaks from Polestar has been marked up in ACT Policing Traffic Operations livery, and is equipped with a lightbar, siren and police digital radio.
UPDATE : ACT Police announced the Volvo S60 T6 it had loaned from Volvo Cars Australia was the first Volvo to be used in an operational environment, but that’s not quite true. Back in 1999, the Federal Police borrowed a V70 R and, at the time, Assistant Commissioner Bill Stoll said: “The Volvo V70 R AWD meets, if not exceeds, the national standards for Police pursuit vehicles.
“Police need the safest vehicles available and the V70 R AWD loaned by Volvo Car Australia provides the speed and agility that a police pursuit car needs. The Volvo has all the in built safety features that are vital for officer protection and so makes for safer public motoring as well.”
However, just a few weeks after taking possession of the V70 R, it crashed during a car chase after just two blocks. Let’s hope this new car has better luck.
